Nevermore, the Complete Series (25 page)

The cool blankets beneath me did not compare to the feeling of Salem's cold chest. Even through his shirt, the cold radiated outward, cooling me from the warm summer night. Suddenly he pressed his lips hard against mine. I struggled to breathe under the pressure, when he finally pulled back I gasped for air. Before I had even fully taken that breath, his lips traced the edge of my jaw, lingering at the base of my ear for a mere second before brushing across my neck. My eyes grew wide as I felt a burning, stabbing pain rising against my throat. I gasped and tried to push him away but he wouldn't budge. He was too strong. What was wrong with him? I screamed and cried as the burning increased. I could feel my blood, no, my entire essence being beckoned out of the holes pierced into my neck.

“Alex!” Salem yelled and I could feel him shaking me awake. “Wake up, Alex!”

I pried my eyes open, staring wildly at him through the darkness. My hand instinctively wiped across my throat. There was nothing there. I sighed with relief and stared at him cautiously.

“Are you all right? You have been flailing around and whimpering...I could barely get you to wake up!” His voice seemed very concerned.

“Yeah…I’m fine. Just a nightmare,” I muttered and jumped off of the bed, “I'm going to get a glass of water.”

“Do you want me to summon it for you?” he offered as I inched toward the door.

“No...
that’s okay.”

Frowning, Salem sat and watched me walk out into the darkness. My attempt at going steadily down the stairs failed as I shook uncontrollably. With each lift of a leg I feared I was going to tumble down the rest of the steps. Fortunately, I made it down safely. Although the house was
pitch black, I had become accustomed to its layout and could easily find my way to the kitchen without bumping into anything.

I froze as I went to reach into one of the cabinets, wondering if I would even find a glass. To my surprise, there was a singular cup sitting on the lowest shelf of the chosen cupboard – I wondered if Salem had summoned it there for me or if it was coincidental. Then I reminded myself that he once told me there were no coincidences. Holding the glass in my unsteady hand, I slid it under the faucet and let it fill up with cold water. The moisture against my lips was soothing, but the images from my dream still fought their way to the surface.

This was the first nightmare I had experienced in at least ten years, aside from the dream I had after Salem told me the story of how he became a vampire. I suffered from them occasionally as a child, but never throughout my teenage years. With my glass firmly clutched between my fingers, I walked through the darkness toward the sectional and sat down. Part of me feared the very idea of attempting to sleep again. That same part of me feared returning upstairs to Salem's room.

Without really thinking about it, I set my glass of water against the coffee table and curled up on the couch. I stared blankly at the half-empty cup and tried to think of happier thoughts. I began to realize I didn't have very many of those. The happiest memories I could conjure were my eighteenth birthday when Jason brought me my much unexpected laptop, and the night at the creek when Salem told me we were “twin souls” – that we were meant to be together.

A wide smile crossed my lips as I shut my eyes and relived that moment. I scarcely noticed Salem slink down the stairs and sit beside me on the couch. He hesitated, and then gently pulled me close to him. I nuzzled against his leg as I drifted off to sleep once again.

Claire stared at me from across the clearing, a radiant crimson hue to her eyes. Her complexion was as white as cotton, a mischievous grin played across her lips. I was standing across the log-bridge over the creek, balancing myself steadily when I noticed her startling appearance. As I gasped in shock, I could feel my body tilting to the side.

“You do not belong here,” her melodic voice was harsh, “Leave Salem alone and go back to your normal life. He will hurt you, whether you believe it or not.”

My balance returned temporarily as I crouched down on the fallen tree. “Salem wants me here,” I objected.

Claire leapt forward, jumping straight across the clearing in one bound. She was at the base of the creek, a low growl emitting from her throat. “I do not believe that for a second. Vampires don't want humans in their lives.”

“How do you know he's a vampire?” I asked.

She shook her head, strawberry blonde curls bouncing elegantly against her shoulders. “Raziel told me you would try this. But I won't let you!”

“Try what? I don't understand...” I whispered fearfully, “where is Salem?”

“He is right behind you,” her lips curved upward into a horrible grin as I turned around. Before I had the opportunity, I could feel the cold lips against my throat. A burning sensation ran through my veins as his fangs sank into my skin once again.

“NO!” I cried, lifting my head up and staring around the room. My heart was racing and I felt like my breath was caught in my throat.

Salem was still beside me, immediately enveloping me in his arms. I wanted to fight it, to escape, but I couldn't. “Calm down, Alexis,” he whispered soothingly into my ear as I sobbed against his shoulder. “Was it another nightmare?”

My head barely moved as I nodded; I wondered if he could feel it.

“Would now be a bad time to ask what these have been about?”

I mumbled against his shirt, telling him detail after detail about both dreams I had. He tensed somewhat as he listened, mostly during the parts where I mentioned him hurting me.

“That's never going to happen,” he said comfortingly, holding me tightly. “They're just dreams.”

“They are not just dreams; they are nightmares…worse than nightmares. They are so real,” I said quietly, my voice barely audible through the sobs. “Why was Claire in them, of all people?”

“You just met her; she was fresh in your mind. Maybe you were just thinking about your coffee house visit before you dozed off,” he suggested.

“No. I was thinking about you.”

“I don't think it is anything to be concerned about. Dreams are strange things that do not necessarily mean anything.”

“This coming from the boy who never sleeps,” I grumbled and tugged away from him. “I don't think I am ever going to be able to sleep again.”

“Of course you will. You can't not sleep.”

“You could make it so I never have to,” I whispered, wishing I could take back the words as soon as I said them.

Salem looked disappointed and sighed. “Alexis we just talked about this, please don’t tell me you are still wanting…that.”

“If I did, I’d be lying.” I frowned.

“I told you before, Alex...nothing is worth this kind of life. Not even me,” The last words stung.

“Oh...” My lips trembled and I swallowed hard. “I-I think I'm going to go out for a while.”

“What?” his eyes narrowed and he reached out for my hand, which I quickly moved out of his grasp. “It is barely five in the morning, Alex! Where would you even go?”

“I don't know…someplace…normal.”

I watched him open his mouth to speak, and then slowly his lips creased into a thin line. “If you don't desire to be here...” his voice trailed off and he avoided looking at me, “I won't make you stay.”

The wet tears cascaded down my cheeks once more as I turned away from Salem. I grabbed my car keys and cell phone and was out the door before I could even give myself the chance to reconsider. The trees surrounding the Victorian swayed around in the strong breeze that was building up. As I crossed the path on the way to the garage, I could only picture Salem sitting there on the couch sulking. I was making him miserable, but it served him right. Was I really asking so much? How could he say he loved me but not want us to be together in this life forever. I kicked the side of the garage hard in frustration.

My voice shrieked in surprise as my body contorted and the whirl of feathers surrounded me. Not now, not now, I thought pleadingly. The keys and phone I had previously held now lay upon the concrete.

Hovering over the land, I heard the door fly open as Salem came out – no doubt alarmed at the sound of my scream. I glanced down at him through my beady black eyes, and the disappointment and pain painted across his pallid skin sickened me. I turned and flew from the scene, ignoring his calls after me.

My wings beat noisily behind me as I pushed through the heavy gusts of wind. Rain began to trickle down from the gray clouds and I could see faint evidence of the sun shrouded behind them. I had one place in mind that was safe, normal and I would be accepted easily without too much questioning. The rain grew heavier and it was becoming difficult to fly through. As I neared my destination I had to come up with a way to calm myself.

My talons clicked gently against the roof of my former house. This place was filled with so many memories, one of which surely would be comforting enough that I could relax. The first thought that came to mind was the morning I discovered Janet had left for Denver. Following that memory was that of my eighteenth birthday, which was somewhat relaxing but at the same time a nuisance. I climbed down from the roof and landed gently on the mowed lawn. Knowing Jason was taking care of the place was a reassuring thought.

I fluttered across the lawn, noting Jason's car parked in the gravel driveway. There was scarcely any evidence that a teenage boy was living here. Not only was the lawn well kept, but the windows weren't smudged, the pathway to the front door was swept and the trash cans were pulled to the edge of the sidewalk for pickup this morning. This had been enough. My mind was clearing of negative thoughts. I heard the sickening crunch, felt the brutal twist of bones, and within seconds I was standing upright on the lawn.

I approached the familiar red door with the tiny peephole and hesitated. It was early. Jason was probably asleep and he probably had work today. What was I thinking? Shaking the thoughts loose, I rapped my hand against the door. Perhaps he wouldn't be too upset by my sudden appearance.

Time ticked by slowly as I awaited a response. No one answered, so I knocked again. I heard movement beyond the walls and knew I had succeeded in waking someone. When the door opened, I was surprised by who answered.

“Mitchell!” I gasped.
Of course. Why wouldn't he be here? I told Jason his brother was more than welcome to live here, too. He looked hardly any different from the last time I saw him – his thick, curly brown hair was slightly longer, there were obvious signs of exhaustion on his face, and he had lost some weight. Mitchell had always been skinny, but now he was too skinny.

“Hey, Alex,” his voice was strained and he wobbled slightly as he leaned on the door. “What are you doing here so early?”

“I was hoping to see Jason,” I replied. “Are you all right?”

“Yeah, just really tired,” he laughed. “I had actually just fallen asleep. They have me working the late night shift over at the diner.”

I groaned quietly when I recalled my last visit to the diner. “I'm so sorry I woke you up. I can leave if you want me to.”

“No, don't be crazy,” he smiled and welcomed me inside. “The place is technically yours, anyway.”

When I stepped in I couldn’t help but notice the place was practically the same as when I had left it – at least in terms of furniture. The same faux leather loveseat, the same dull scratched up coffee table, and the same dining room table. I felt comfortable here, I felt at home. The sink was piled up with dishes, but I really couldn't blame the boys – they both had jobs to worry about, and Mitch had a few more weeks of school before summer break. The sofa had a blanket and pillow strewn across it, leading me to believe that was where Mitchell had been asleep.

“You don’t have a bed?” I asked as I walked through the dining room.

“You know I do, but I just hardly ever sleep in it,” he shrugged, “by the time I get home, I sort of just slump over on the couch and pass out. Then a few hours later I’m up for school. I do nap in the bed after school though.”

“That's terrible,” I frowned. “Are you and Jason struggling to pay the bills or something?”

“No, we have that covered,” he grinned and sat on the loveseat. “I’m saving up to buy my own car.”

“Oh, awesome!”
I thought about when I got my first car as I glanced around the house. A bundle of dirty laundry lay beside the edge of the loveseat. “How close are you to being able to buy it?”

“Maybe another two weeks of this. But it will be totally worth it!”

I laughed and hesitantly sat beside him on the loveseat. “Is Jason asleep?”

“Yeah, he should be up soon, though,” he commented, glancing at the alarm clock set on the end table. I recognized it immediately with a pang of anguish – it had been Janet's. “He usually gets up around 7:30 or so.”

“Do you care if I wait around for him?”

“Of course not,” he glanced at me and frowned. “You look just about as tired as I feel, Alex.”

“Yeah...” I mumbled, “I haven't been sleeping well either. That's kind of why I came here, to get away from my troubles.”

“Things not working out between you and Salem?”

I blinked, wondering how he knew about him. “Did Karen tell you about that?”

“Um, you’ve met Karen right...?” he laughed, “As if she could keep her mouth shut about anything!”

“Yeah…I guess you’re right.”

“Jason didn't take it too well.”

I was afraid he would say something like that.
“Why not?” I asked, acting like I didn't know.

Mitchell laughed, harder than I expected. “You’re as blind as Karen is loud! You really didn’t know all these years? Jason has had the biggest crush on you forever!”

“I didn’t know until a few months back, actually,” I admitted, “it still suprises me.”

“There's nothing not to like about you, Alex,” he said with a wink. “Even I had a little crush on you when we were younger, but unlike Jason, I grew out of it. Good thing too…he didn’t care for the idea of someone else liking you,” he laughed.

I stared at him in awe. I wasn't that likable, was I? Maybe it was just the small town, not much variety. “That's flattering,” I said uncomfortably. “But anyway, there's nothing wrong with me and Salem...I just needed to get out, and he was asleep,” I lied slightly.

Mitch nodded his head in understanding. “Well, you're always welcome to stay here, y'know. If for some reason you can't or don't want to go back to his or something.”

“Thanks,” I murmured.

As Mitchell opened his mouth to speak, I heard noises coming from upstairs. “Who are you talking to?” Jason's voice called down the stairs. I was relieved to hear him; it had been far too long.

“Oh, you'll see,” Mitchell replied playfully.

“You didn't bring a girl home with you last night, did you?”

“No, she sort of just showed up on her own.” Mitchell winked at me.

Jason rushed down the stairs, obviously curious to see who the mysterious girl was that his younger brother was with. His face sank as his eyes fell upon me, sitting beside Mitch on the loveseat. “Alex...what are you doing here? And what are you doing with Mitchell?”

I sprang up from the seat. “I wasn't doing anything with Mitch!” I laughed nervously. “We were just hanging out while I waited on you to get up.”

“Oh, right. Okay,” his expression softened. “That still doesn't tell me why you're here.”

I shrugged. “I didn't know where else to go.”

“Are you...” he paused, “are you and that guy having problems?” He sounded almost hopeful.

“No, we’re fine. I just needed to get out for a little bit, and to see you,” I added on the last part in the hopes of relieving him.

“You look exhausted.” I stiffened as he came close and pulled me into a hug. “And you're soaking wet!” he exclaimed, pushing me away gently.

“Oh...yeah,” I muttered, barely even aware of the fact that I was drenched in rain water.

“Did you walk here or something?”

“Something like that, yeah.”

Jason shook his head and plucked his brother's blanket from the back of the sofa, draping it around my shoulders. “Wouldn't want you getting sick,” he smiled.

“Thanks,” I said, returning the smile. “Do you mind if I hang around here for a little while? Maybe I will even clean the place up a little,” I chuckled.

Jason laughed – it was a pleasant, familiar sound. “You don't have to do any cleaning, but we'd love it if you stayed.”

“I want to clean,” I objected, glancing around at the clutter again. “You'll thank me later.”

“Sure,” he replied, “it's only going to end up like this again in a few days though.”

“That just gives me more to do.”

“Are you avoiding something?” he said with a frown, all amusement washed away from his face.

I shrugged. “Kind of. I have been having these really disturbing nightmares lately, so I'm trying not to sleep.”

“That's healthy,” I heard Mitchell mumble from the sofa, upon which he was now curled up with his face toward the back of the couch.

“It's hardly any less healthy than what you're doing!” I shot back. “How much sleep have you gotten in the past few weeks?”

“Not enough,” he grumbled.

“See, so shut it.” I smiled jokingly at Jason.

Jason took my hand unexpectedly, “Come upstairs with me,” he offered.

I eyed him suspiciously. “Jace, she still has a boyfriend, remember? No funny business.” Mitchell snickered and Jason shot him an angry look.

“I just wanted to show her what we've done with the rest of the place.”

“Suuure you were.”

“Let’s go,” I said, partly just to get away from his brother's comments, and followed him upstairs. 

Jason led me across the familiar creaky floorboards. To my immediate left was the singular bathroom, which had been kept almost exactly as it was when I had left it – besides the addition of their toiletries. Ahead of us, down the hall was Janet’s old bedroom. Her bed, her dresser, everything that had belonged to her was gone. I stared throughout the room in disbelief. In place of the large bed with frilly pillows that I remembered so vividly was a twin-sized bed with plain dark blue covers. A shabby brown nightstand sat beside the bed. Where Janet's dresser had been was a different, shorter one that I was unfamiliar with. Socks and other assorted clothing items poked through the crease between the drawers of the dresser. My eyes were drawn to a picture frame on top of the dresser.

“Wow,” I whispered, picking up the frame and running my hand across the glass surface. The picture was of three children – a round-faced, blonde haired girl with radiant green eyes stood on the left, in the middle was a chocolate-eyed boy with a broad smile and a head of deep brown hair, and beside him was another little girl with long brunette hair, hazel eyes and a toothy grin. “This picture has to be ancient.”

“It's not that old,” Jason said with a chuckle. “What were we, like six…seven?”

“Probably,” I replied. “I miss those days.”

“So do I. Life was a lot simpler back then.”

I laughed, he had no idea how much simpler it was than my life these days. “What has become of my old room?”

“You’d never know it had ever been a girl’s room, that's for sure,” he replied and led me down the hall to my former bedroom.

I gasped at the sight of it. There was clothing everywhere! I couldn't make out a single inch of the familiar dull gray carpeting underneath all of the laundry. The walls were covered in posters of scantily dressed women lying on cars or motorcycles. Shaking my head, I turned and left the room. I couldn't bear to look at it anymore. “Here I thought, with how clean the lawn was that the inside would be just as tidy,” I laughed dryly.

Jason looked apologetic. “We've both been really busy, Alex.”

“I know,” I replied. “I understand completely.”

“Shouldn't you be leaving to get Karen!?” Mitchell yelled from downstairs.

“Yeah!”
Jason shouted back, and then looked at me. “Sorry, I‘ve got to go. But I‘m so happy to see you again, Alex.”

“It was good seeing you too,” I said earnestly.

“Will you be here when I get back?”

“That all depends on when you’ll be back,” I laughed.

“Pretty late.”

“Then probably not.”

He frowned at me and embraced me again. His skin was warm and comforting. “I've missed you.”

Without thinking, I wrapped my arms around him, returning the hug. “I’ve missed you, too, Jace.”

“Promise you’ll come back soon, okay?”

“You know it,” I smiled.

We both walked downstairs. Mitchell was turned over on the sofa, facing us with a wide grin, and kept raising his eyebrows up and down. Jason smacked him playfully on the shoulder. “I'm just messing around, lover-boy.”

“Well, stop it,” Jason replied coldly. “See ya later, Alex.”

I watched him grab a coat and keys and slip out the doorway. Mitch sat up on the sofa and rubbed his eyes.
“'bout time for me to get ready to go, too.”

“Are you serious?” I asked in shock. “You must be miserable. You should call in sick.”

“Nah, I'm used to it,” he smiled reassuringly. “I'll be in the shower if you need me.”

I was all alone downstairs in the place I used to call home. My eyes cast upon the laundry pile beside the loveseat. I lifted the heap in my arms and walked through the kitchen, down a short hallway and into the utility room where the washing machine and dryer were located. Plopping the mass of discarded clothing into the washer, I poured in some detergent and started running the wash. Next, I went to tend to the dishes.